Jalousie



Um 1959 H. 1-. BACKHUS 2,917,79

JALOUSIE Filed Oct. 50. 1953 ATTORNEY United States Patent "ice JALOUSIE Herman Theodore Backhus, Glen Gardner, NJ.

Application October 30, 1953, Serial No. 389,313

5 Claims. (Cl. 20-62) This invention relates to jalousie windows, and in particular to a jalousie-type window with means accommodating lateral adjustment of the louvers, thus preventing warping and distortion thereof, and means providing an adequate weathertight seal, including an improved means for mounting the glass in the pivotally mounted louver rame members or end brackets. Jalousie windows are becoming increasingly popular as used for enclosures at summer resorts, etc. However, structurally they suffer in comparison with the double hung windows and casement windows used in more permanent locations, and particularly windows such as are used in locations subject to severe weather. Jalousies as used today are not weather-tight and there is warping or twisting of the panes or louvers as they are moved inwardly or outwardly. It is particularly diflicult to obtain a weather-tight fit between the sides of the metal fixtures which support the glass panes or louvers and the window framing. This is largely due to the warping of the panes, preventing tight fits of a nature such as available in double hung windows. Also, since the louver holding elements must pivot and operate through a considerable are, they cannot be enclosed within a channel as can sliding windows which slide vertically or horizontally in frames. Furthermore, since many individual panes are provided in each jalousie-type window, the problem of mounting the glass in individual movable frames is involved. In addition, in order to limit the movable elements in size it has been found desirable to use metal for supporting the window elements and pivoting them, thus the problems of obtaining weather-tight fits, etc. is increased.

A relatively small portion of each glass is directly supported in a frame member and it has been found not feasible to use putty or glass compounds for sealing the glass in the supporting channels. Since each glass panel is supported at both ends and is relatively long in comparison to its height, the glass must be of greater thickness than ordinarily employed in windows for homes and compression-type mountings can be used for retaining the panels in the pivoting frame members. In many in stances springs are inserted, with the panels, into the channels formed in the pivotal members, thus retaining the glass in position. These, however, do not always prove satisfactory and provide another point for leakage and drafts. I

Among the objects of my invention is to provide means eliminating the above-mentioned undesirable features.

One of my objects is to provide a jalousie window, with means constantly maintaining alinement between opposed pairs of glass mounting members.

Another object of my invention is to provide glass mounting elements utilizing compression for retaining the glass panels in position without the use of spring elements.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a weather stripping arrangement which adequately prevents drafts and seepage of moisture, etc.

2,917,794 Patented Dec. 22, 1959 These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of a jalousie constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a partial elevational view of a window constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of an end bracket constructed in accordance with the invention showing the manner of removing and inserting glass panels.

Figure 4 is an elevational view showinga series of end brackets and louvers.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention. t 1

Similar reference characters represent similar parts in the drawing.

In Figure -1 I show a jamb 10. The jamb can be formed as part of the usual window frame or it canzbe applied to window frames already positioned in buildings. When the. jambs and louvers are made in, a complete unit the jamb, sills and headers are combined in the usual manner. When the jambs and louvers are supplied separately, the jambs are attached to the regular window frame and the louver elements can be inserted therein. The jamb is shown to have a laterally extending or offset portion 12. The latter has a vertically extending channel 14 formed therein. The channelreceives a complementarily shaped member 16 which, as shown in Figure 1, looks similar to half round stock, and is referred to as a louver assembly bar. Member 16 is an end bracket support as will appear hereinafter.

Element 16 extends-vertically the length of channel 14 and is not wholly received therein as illustrated in Fig. 1. The fit between members 10 and 16 when the window is fully assembled is such that member 16 can rotate within the channel. A series of end brackets .20, 22, 24, 26, etc. are pivotally connected by screws 28, 30, 32, etc. to member 16 in vertically spaced relationship. Each of these brackets comprises a flat vertical leg 34, a flange 36 extending perpendicular thereto and a lower support flange 38. In addition a clip 40, is provided. The clip is attached to base 34 at 42 and has a free lower spring end 44, adapted to abut against the glass panel or louver 46 and press the panel against flange 36. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the glass panel seats on the, lower flange 38 and is forced against the forward flange 36 by spring member 44. j

At its upper end the glass panel is held in position by a pivotally mounted spring lever support 48. Spring lever support 43 is pivoted to the end, bracket by a screw 50. Its forward end is provided with a laterally extending arm 52. Arm 52 has an upper flange 54 adapted to overlie the glass panel and a lower spring arm 56. Spring lever 48 and spring arm 56 are dimensioned so that when in the position shown in Fig. 2, the upper end of the glass will be moved firmly against flange 36 with flanges 54 and 38 in firm engagement with the longitudinal edges of the louver, pane orpanel. 3

Flanges 36, 54, and 38, together with springs-56 and 44 maintain the glass or other form of louver in weathertight connection with the end bracket. The side edge of the pane abuts against the flat vertical leg 34.

The opposite jamb is constructed similarly to jamb 10, and pivotally receives a vertical element, such as 16, having the end brackets connected thereto, however, it is possible to form the opposite jamb in the usual manner and have the end brackets connected directly thereto.

Vertical operating rod 60 is connected to each of the end brackets and through means of an additional lever,

not shown, connected to an operating crank in the usual manner. Such construction is deemed obvious. Screws extending weather strip element 70.

5,0 serve to eqmflect each end bracket to the operating rod. When rod 60 is pulled vertically downwardly, as seen in Fig. 4, each of the end brackets will pivot, causingthe louvers to open.

-It is apparent that the opposite end brackets, which are not shown, must also pivot if the louvers are to open. The louvers Will bend in transmitting the torque to the opposite end brackets. In .the normal jalousie this causes binding, and in many instances makes the windows diificult to operate. Also, this necessitates elaborate end bracket construction. With my window, however, the vertical member 16 will pivot as the louvers twist. Thus the louvers can be opened and closed easily with- .out binding.

In Figure 5 I show my invention as applied to aluminum orother-metal frames, which type of construction is often preferred over the wood illustrated in Figures 1-4.

.Sim'ilar reference characters indicate similar elements in both forms.

'The projecting flange 62 which is positioned at right angles to leg serves to give additional Weather-proofing since it protects the groove 14' from the elements. The rear flange 66 serves to stiifen'the jamb, as does the forward flange 68. Flange 66 also supports the louver operator which is connected'to rod 60 through a crank.

In both modifications of my device I show a vertically Members 16 and 16' are provided with slots 72 and 72, respectively, for seating the weather strip element. In the examples illustrated the weather-strip element comprises a tubular shaped piece of resilient material formed as shown by being forcibly positioned in the slot. The weather strip 'element frictionally engages the end brackets. It is obvious that other forms of weather strip may be used. For example, stainless steel spring-type weather stripping can be used. In the example shown the weather strip material can be rubber, either natural or artificial. The opposite jamb and end brackets have similar Weatherstripping. Members 16 can be held in position in the jambs by using a wooden member as a block or by use of a screw or tack until at least one louver is inserted. The louver can be inserted in one of the opposed end brackets and 'then' inserted into the other end brackets asthe brace, or screw, or nail is loosened.

While a preferred form of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that variations in details of form may be made Without departure from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

'I claim:

1 A jalousie comprising a louver .and jamb having "louver assembly bars, means pivotally connecting said louver to said louver assembly bars comprising an end bracket, said vend bracket having a spring member connected thereto, .a flange facing said spring member in spaced relationship for reception of a louver between said flange andsaid spring member, a second spring member pivotally connectedto said bracket and engageable with a louver ,positioned against said flange to urge said louver against said flange, and means mounting said end bracket end brackets for supporting said louvers in pivotal rela tionship with a jamb, each end bracket comprising a flange, a spring arm facing said flange adapted to resiliently urge a louver against said flange, a second spring arm pivotally connected to said end bracket and pivotal to urge said louver against said flange.

3. A jalousie comprising a jamb having means forming a vertically extending groove-shaped opening, a louver end bracket support member mounted in said opening in pivotal engagement with said jamb, a louver end bracket member pivotally connected to said support member and pivotally movable across a face thereof, a Weather-strip element mounted in one of said members and frictionally engaged with the other of said members, said end bracket having a generally vertically extending flange for abutment with a louver, a lower flange extending at right angles thereto forming a support for said louver, a spring member opposing the first mentioned flange and tensioned to urge a louver thereagainst, a spring lever support pivotally connected to said bracket and having an upper flange adapted to oppose said lower flange and a spring arm adapted to engage said louver and urge said louver against the first mentioned flange, said spring arm being pivotal out of engagement with a louver abutting the first mentioned flange for removal of said louver from said end bracket.

4. In a jalousie, a louver, an end bracket for supporting one end of siad louver, said end bracket having a generally vertically extending flange for abutment with said louver, a lower flange extending at right angles to said vertically extending flange for abutment with one edge of said louver, a spring lever support pivotally connected to said bracket and having an upper flange adapted to oppose said lower flange and a spring arm adapted to engage said louver and urge said louver against the first mentioned flange, said spring lever support being pivotal to move said spring arm and said upper flange into and out of engagement with a louver abutting the first mentioned flange.

5. A jalousie comprising a frame having a jamb, a series of louvers in vertically spaced relationship, each of said louvers having one end connected to an end bracket, an end bracket support member, said end brackets being pivotally connected to said support member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis of rotation, said end brackets being movable across one face of said support member during pivotal movement about said axis, said support member being pivotally mounted in a vertically extending groove in said jamb to allow for vertical pivotal movement of said support member in said jamb, and means for connecting the other ends of each of said louvers to said frame adjacent said other ends of said louvers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 359,761 Adams Mar. 22, 1887 1,117,903 Powers Nov. 17, 1914 2,559,442 Klein Iuly 3, 1951 2,640,233 Silvers June 2, 1953 2,654,921 Blanchard Oct. 13, 1953 

